The Hottest Markets Are in Small Towns

Fort Wayne, Ind., was the hottest real estate market in the country last month, according to a Realtor.com analysis of listing views and how quickly properties sold.

"Smaller markets with smaller price tags continue to heat up feverishly," says Javier Vivas, realtor.com's director of economic research. "Buyers have more success in markets that have plentiful supplies of homes below $200,000 in the Northeast and the Midwest. In the West and the Southwest, we're seeing alternatives to the pricey, larger cities make the list."

Median home prices in greater Fort Wayne, a small, industrial city about two hours northeast of Indianapolis, were a median $162,000 as of Aug. 1, according to local real estate brokerage Re/Max Results.

The Midwestern city has been coming back up for years, with a revitalized downtown, a new waterfront park, and lots of new restaurants and shops opening up. A professional soccer team will have a permanent home there as well beginning next year.

To see the top 20 hottest markets during August …

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